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Four Reasons to Stop Using Tampons

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Davidson chapter.

Tampons are out; the Diva Cup is in (both literally and figuratively). What is a Diva Cup? you ask. It sounds like a girly drinking game. While the Diva Cup does resemble a flexible, silicone shot glass, it’s actually worn in the vagina during menstruation. A lot of ladies initially find the idea of using and reusing a menstrual cup a bit off-putting, but I assure you, their fears are unfounded. The Diva Cup is revolutionary. Life-changing. Awe-inspiring. Eye-opening. Just think about how many more cheesy blasters Liz Lemon could fit in her freezer if she used a Diva Cup and didn’t keep her tampons in there! If you’re not yet convinced, here are four reasons to invest in a Diva Cup:

1. It’s environmentally friendly.

The Diva Cup is made of high-quality silicone, which means you can use and reuse it as many times as you want. Some women prefer to replace their Diva Cups after a year; some women replace it every five years. Either way, think of all the waste you’re NOT producing in that time. Tampons, applicators, and pads all take up space in landfills, and they aren’t biodegradable. Replacing pads and tampons with a Diva Cup is one easy way to reduce waste and shrink your carbon footprint.

2. It’s economically friendly.

Diva Cups average about $40 each. That’s $40 for one to five years of menstrual coverage. Tampons and pads? About $40 for two months. Ridiculous. By switching to a Diva Cup, you can save $240 to $1200. Use your Diva Cup to preserve your wallet while you’re preserving the planet.

3. It’s emergency-friendly.

It happens to everyone: you’re out with your friends or in the middle of class and you realize you just started your period, or you’re leaking, and you don’t have any tampons on you. If only you’d used a Diva Cup! You never need an extra – you can wear your Diva Cup for twelve hours at a time (and that’s just a guideline). If you do find yourself needing to empty your cup, you don’t have to worry about having another one on hand because it’s already in your vagina.

4. It’s self-love friendly.

This is the part that makes some ladies uncomfortable – yes, you have to touch your own vagina while you’re bleeding out of it. There’s no Diva Cup applicator to distance you from your nether regions. Yes, it can be really messy and a little uncomfortable during your first few cycles. There’s a bit of a learning curve. But by using a Diva Cup, you quickly learn to get comfortable with your own body and its various functions. You soon realize that your vagina isn’t just a vagina, but yours. It’s unique, just like your nose and your ears and your belly button. Own it. Love it. Put a Diva Cup in it.

You can get a Diva Cup online at Amazon or search the Diva Cup website for a nearby supplier. 

Just your average soul searcher from East Jesus Nowhere, Illinois now studying English at Davidson College. In addition to being a writer, I’m also a cautious adventurer, detail-oriented list maker, slow runner, awkward dancer, novice hiker/backpacker, binge Netflix watcher, avid reader, hopeless Cleveland Indians follower, and passionate postcard sender (and receiver - hint hint).